Packing for fragile articles



Jan. 29, 19 35. 5, cox

PACKING FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES File d July 21, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR- Jan. 29, '1935. 1 cox PACKING FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed July 21, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- Patented Jan. 29, 1935 PATENT orrics PAC ING FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Stephen J. Cox, Westfield, N. J assignor to Packing Products Corporation, New York, N. Y., a I corporation of Delaware a Application July 21, 1931, Serial No. 552,144 15 1 Claims. (Cl. 217-265) The improvements relate to packing means for eggs and other fragile articles adapted to be inserted in cartons, boxes, crates or other containers and to hold in position and protect the same 5 therein. 'Moreparticularly, they relate to packing of this class made of sheet material molded to form cups or holders to receivethe said articles and to form in the outer container what is known as a filler, so that the articles are held therebyin position in the container and spaced from each other andfrom the walls thereof in such manner that they are protected against breakage. The improvements, however, may be employed in containers or carriers adapted to be used without an.

outer container, and for other purposes.

Packing of this kind is now produced by what is known as the pulp sucking process, in which usually a drum having foramincus forms on its periphery and suction maintained in its interior is rotated so that its lower segmentpasses through a bath containing fibrous material, such as wood pulp, the fibres in the bath being drawn by the suction against the forms and molded thereon to the desired thickness to form a sheet, of. mate- .rial corresponding in contour to the forms. This sheet-is then pressed on theforms by complementary formscarried by another drum or .endless chain, and removed from the first drum thereby, or by other means, and dried.

produces packing of most excellent character, has its limitations in the matter of the shape and depth'of the cups or other article holding recesses, since the sheets must be such that they can be removed freely from the first forms and as freely deposited on the second or drying forms, and therefore if recesses or projections have more than a relatively shallow depth, and do not flare outwardly at all points they will cling to the 40 forms, resist removal and become distorted or torn. To overcome this difiiculty, packing has been devised in which shallow projections or recesses are formed with fold lines on which they must be folded to form cups or holders of the required depth. There are, however, various objections to this form, one of which is that the cups or holders are not preformed in their final shape, and therefore have a tendency to spread at all times, release the articlesplaced therein or permit them to move around and become damaged in handling or transportation. Nor is this tendency remedied by the outer carton or container, which in most cases, and always in the case of eggs, must be of inexpensive construction, which requires that they be made of thin sheet material,

usually paper, which spreadsor bulges easilyunder the pressure of the eggs within and the pressure and distortingstrains of packing, transportation and handling, the smallest number of eggs packed in one box or carton being usuallyone :5 dozen, in two rows of six each, and,these cartons being frequently stacked or packed in large cantainers, one upon another. vSuch foldingl fillers are also unadapted for use without an outside box or carton, since theyhave a tendency to unfold '10 at all times and release the articles therein. A shallow nonfolding filler, however, is not satisfactory, and permitsv breakage; sincelthere is nothing to protect the outer. part of the article projecting therefrom against pressure, shocks or '15 strains, and when-cartons are superposed one upon another-s ometimes five tiers in height-.- the pressure of thesuperposed cartons and their contents is borne almost wholly by the articles themselves. The filler -must therefore extend 20 from top tobottom of the, article and be of sufficient stre th'to substantially support suchpressure. Again, in handling the cartons,.the pressure of the hand of the person handling them is ,exerted on the upper part of the carton as well as 25 the bottom, and unless the filler or holder is such as to receive and resist this pressure, it is exerted on the eggs or other articles to their. frequent damage. This method, while it is highly eflicient and i The primary object of the present improvements is to produce apacking of the'character indicated in which the article holding cups orHre-' cesses are preformed in their final shape and are therefore relatively rigidand will hold and pro- M tect the articles against all ordinary Lpressures and strains, but which can'be made in shallow form by the pulp sucking or similar method, and which at the same time is provided .with means for resisting and protecting the article against pressure on-a1l sides. Another object is to pro- .vide an open space at oneside of the filler which will-permit the dealer and purchaser to, inspect the eggs without removingthem therefrom, one

side above the middle being exposed to viewwhen the carton or the filler constituting a carton is opened. This is accomplished by molding-the cups or holders in their fimu form, and atthe same time molding with the1n a connecting member between each row of cups and provided with hinge lines permitting them to be squeezed together to form av very'narrow partition extending to'the tops of the eggs or other articles, and, if desired, to the bottoms thereof, 'so that when the sheet is compressed and placedin a box or carton 'or caused to form substantially such-a illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which- Fig. 1 is a transverse vertical section ot a packing filler embodying the improvements;

Fig. 2 is a View of the packing shown-in Fig; 1.

as it is molded and before beingipomm'essedi;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modifi-e cation;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to- Fig. 1' of another modification;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of the embodi- -ment shown in Fig. 4

Fig 6 is a view-similar to Fig. 1 of-theform shown in .lfili'gsa 4 Zand 5adaptedfor use in crates or-large containers, or to form a box or carton initself; and i Fig;- 7=?is -.a1planofthe embodiment shown in Fig; 23

In the formillustrateddh Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the

packing: consists of a non-planiform' sheet of molded material comprising a row of relatively rigid? egg: receiving cups 1- separated by projecting members. 21 interposed' between the cups and conforming approximately on their vertical sides to the: curvature of the egg; supplemental recesses 3'," to protect' the egg from the bottom of the-cart'on 4,- or other supp ort and circumferential i medial ribs 5 to further protect them; I These 'parts are all preformed, preferably by: the pulp sucking; felting-process, and constitute rows:of"complete egg receiving cups which will? resist pressure from-w-i-thin"and= from withoua and maintain. their original and finished shape and arrangement at' all times and against all ordinary strains. Connecting each rowof cups=wittrthe next is an intermediate partitionformingmember= comprising straight portions 6 hinged together at. their inneredges at 7 and strengthening and egg dividing curved projections 8, each member consisting of theparts 6 andia being joined to the upper edge-of and adja'cent'cupr by thehinge-Q.

Iniorder topl'acethe'member thus formed in a cartom or: other container, it i's-onlynecessary to bend. the. intermediateportions upwardly and squeeze: them: together, permitting themto turn on their hinges '7 and I 9', until theyhaveassumed the position shown in Fig.1, then insert them in. theouten container, whenthey are-ready to receive eggs: or-otherarticles- In theiornr'of Fig; 3; thecups are of the same-form; but are connected by a partition consisting of straight members 10, 1-1 and 12-, formed by first molding themfiat and thensfolding'tliem' at'9j 13, 14 and 1'5; and squeezing5them together, so that a partition extendingfromitopto bottomofthe eggs,

andjpreferablya little beyond them, is. formed;

The form shownin Fig. 4 is first molded flat,

as shown in Fig; 5, with the. partitionforming members, hinged; at..9f',- 15, 16. and 17.1 These partition forming, members, 18,19, 20 and 21 when folded, .asshowninFig. 4,- .forma partition, inwhich-there-are sheets or-flatstrips of material extending, from.- top to bottom-and a :flatxsheet .Omeach, side, connectingtheir: upper edges: with These-cups-have the cups. The strips 19 and 20 may be provided with strengthening grooves 22, if desired.

In Fig. 6, substantially the same form as that of Figs. 4 and 5 is shown, adapted to be used in an outer receptacle intended to receive more than two rows of eggs. The outer member 23 of the end partition is disconnected at its outer edge and-adaptedto; be folded; with the..longer strip 24, over the. bottoms of the two cups, and the outer, similar members 25 and 26 with 27 on the opposite side are adapted to be folded over the tops, as indicated by arrows, so that in this manner-a completecarton and carrierfor two rows ofeggs, except for the end closures, may be formed. These. strips 23 may also be turned up ifrdesiredtociorm an outer wall extending to twice. the height of the middle partition.

Allthe forms shown, including the preferred form-,ofiFigs. 1 and 3, may be made with any desired number of rows of cups, and when made up in rows. of six each row having six cups, as in the ordinary: standard crate, they will-take-the place of both the flats and the fillers commonly used.

The-- projections 8 of the preferred form may be omitted if desired and-flat walls like those of the'otherforms, or other non-planiform walls employed. On the otherhand, the-other iorms may-have such projectionsor may be corrugated or givenany other desired conformation. The

projections 8 (see Fig. 7) emerge from their connecting portions and taper upwardly on all sides,- so that they will hold the eggs in upright: position, separate-them from other eggs in the same row. and from eggs in adjacent-rows,

ployed without: an outer car-ton or-in thestand- 7 ard'crate Off. commerce, in which they willtake the-place of the flats andfillers nowincommon use.

What I claim is:

1. Ina packing of'the character-described, a 7

row. of molded: preformed non-compressible; cup like holders of sheet material composedof fibres assembled to vform a non-planiformsheet having the dimensions and contour of said cups, and

connecting portions between said preformed cups integralitherewith in extended form and forming therewithlarcontinuous sheet, butproyided' with hinge portions separating-it-into sections which when folded on' said hinge portions will lie in substantially parallel planes and extend above the upperedges and between the holders when compressed;

2'. In a packing of the character described, a row of molded preformed non-compressible cuplike holders of sheet material composed of-fibres forming a non-planiform sheet having the dimensions ancl contour of said cups, and connecting .portionsbetween-said preformed cups integral therewith: in extended formand forming therewith a continuous sheet, but provided with hinge portions separating it into sections which will lie in. substantally parallel planes and extend vertically away from the upper edges of the cups and between'the holders when compressed 3. The herein described method of making a filler packing which consists in molding a sheet or" fibrous material to form upright relative rigid, complete article receiving cups therein conforming approximately to the article to be received thereby and relatively fiat connecting portions between the cups having hinge portions connecting sections thereof and'flexible portions connecting the same with the cups, then compressing the said connecting portions and causing them to assume upright positions between the cups;

4. In a packing of the character described a row of molded preformed completed cup-like holders of sheet material composed of fibres forming in normal position a sheet having the dimensions and contour of said cups, and connecting portions between said preformed cups integral therewith in extended form, but provided with hinge portions separating them into sections which will lie in substantiallyparallel planes and extend above the upper edges of the cups and between them when compressed, said connecting portions having a width between their hinges substantially equal to the depth of the cups, and when compressed and thus caused to assume upright positions between the cups adapted to extend to the top of an article the lower portion of which is held in the cup.

5. In a packing of the character described a row of molded preformed upright finished cuplike holders of sheet material composed of fibres forming a sheet having the dimensions and contour of said cups, and connecting portions between said preformed cups integral therewith in extended form, but provided with hinge portions separating them into sections which will lie in extended position and extend above the upper edges of the cups and between them and from said cups to the extremity of an article supported in and extending beyond the same when compressed to form partitions and separators between the cups and supporting and protecting members.

6. In a packing of the character described, a row of molded preformed cup-like holders with approximately upright walls of sheet material composed of fibres forming a sheet having the dimensions and contour of said cups, and connecting portions between said preformed cups integral therewith in extended form, but provided with hinge portions separating them into sections which will lie in substantially parallel planes and extend above the upper edges of the cups and between them when compressed, said connecting portions having thereon projections extending over the cups when said portions are in upright compressed position.

'7. In a packing of the character described, a row of molded preformed approximately upright cup-like holders of sheet material composed of fibres assembled to form a sheet having the dimensions and contour of said cups, and connecting portions between said preformed cups molded therewith in extended form, but provided with hinge portions, separating it into sections which will lie in substantially parallel planes and extend above the upper edges of the cups and between them when compressed and to the bottoms of said cups.

8. In a packing of the character described, a

molded preformed cup-like holder of sheet material composed of fibres assembled to form a sheet having the dimensions and contour of said cup,

and connecting portions between said preformed cups molded therewith in extended form, but provided with hinge portions separating, it into sections which will lie in substantially parallel 9. In a packing of the character described, a

molded preformed cup like holder of sheet material composed of fibres assembled to form-a sheet having the dimensions and contour of said cup, and connecting portions between said preformed cups molded therewith, in extended form, but provided with hinge portions separating it into sections which will lie in substantially parallel planes and extend above the upper edges of the cups and between them when compressed and other members similar to said connecting portions on the outer sides of said cups and connected therewith, said last-named members being adapted to be folded over the tops and bettoms of said cups to enclose the same at top and bottom.

10. In a packing of the characterdescribed, a row of molded approximately upright. preformed cup-like holders of sheet material having the dimensions and contour of said cups, and connecting portions between said preformed cups integral therewith in extended form, but provided with hinge portions separating them into sections which when folded on said hinge portions will lie in substantially parallel planes and extend above their junction with the cups and at least approximately to the extremity of an article supported in and extending beyond the same to form article separating and protecting and vertically extending external pressure sustaining members.

11. In a packing of the character described, a row of molded preformed substantially rigid cup-like holders having walls fixed in position by said molding to support an article in upright position formed of sheet material composed of fibres assembled to form a non-planiform sheet having the dimensions and contour of said cups, and connecting portions between said preformed cups integral therewith in extended form and forming therewith a continuous sheet, but provided with hinge portions separating them into sections which will lie in substantially extended position and extend above the upper edges and between the holders and to the top of an article therein projecting above the same when compressed, said connecting portions having hinge connections with the holders and being foldable intermediate said flexible connections.

12. In a packing of the character described, a row of molded preformed substantially rigid cuplike holders having walls fixed in position by said molding to support an article in upright position formed of sheet material composed of fibres assembled to form a non-planiform sheet having the dimensions and contour of said cups, and connecting portions between said preformed cups integral therewith in extended form and forming therewith a continuous sheet, but provided with hinge portions separating them into sections which. will lie in substantially parallel planes and. extend above the upper edges and between the holders when compressed, said connecting portions having hinge connections with the holders and having lateral projections thereon.

13. In a packing of the character described, a row of molded preformed substantially rigid cup- .like holders having walls fixed in position by said molding to support a portion only of an article thereon formed of sheet material composed of fibres assembled to form a non-planiform sheet having" the dimensions and contour: of said cups and connecting portions between said preformed cups integral therewith in extended form and forming therewith a continuous sheet, but provided with hinge portions separating them into sections which will lie in extended position and extend above the upper edges and between the holders and at least approximately to the extremity of the article supported thereby when compressed, said connecting portions having flexible connections with the holders.

14. In a packing of the character described, a row of molded preformed substantially rigid cuplike holders having walls fixed in position by said molding to support a portion only of an article thereon formed of sheet material composed of fibres assembled to form a non-planiform sheet having the dimensions and contour of said cups, and connecting portions between said preformed cups integral therewith in extended form and forming therewith a continuous sheet, butprovided with hinge portions separating them into sections which will lie in extended position and extend above or below the upper edges, and between the holders and at least approximately to the extremity of the article supported thereby when compressed, said connecting portions having flexible connections with the holders.

15. In a packing of the character described, a row of molded preformed substantially rigid cuplike holders having walls fixed in normal position to support a portion only of an article thereon and formed of sheet material composed of fibres assembled to form a non-planiform sheet having the dimensions and contour of said cups, and connecting portions in extended form between said preformed cups integral therewith and forming therewith a continuous sheet, but provided with hinge portions separating them into sections which will lie in extended position and extend above or below the upper edges and between the holders and at least approximately to the extremity of the article supported thereby when compressed, said connecting portions having flexible connections with the holders.

STEPHEN J. COX. 

